Jack stumbled up the steps to his parents' grand home, the effects of the alcohol still weighing heavily on him. As soon as he entered, he was greeted by an excited flurry of family members. The word had already spread among them: Jack was going to marry Amelia.
"Jack! Congratulations!" his mother beamed, pulling him into a warm embrace. "We've been waiting for this day."
His father clapped him on the back, a rare show of affection. "Proud of you, son. A fine choice."
Jack tried to smile, but it felt more like a grimace. His mind was elsewhere, consumed with thoughts of Rose. The room was a blur of happy faces, congratulatory words, and well-wishes. All he could think about was sneaking out to find Rose and break the news to her, but he knew he had to wait until the next day. The thought of her reaction gnawed at him, though he tried not to imagine it.
The evening wore on until Amelia arrived. She glided into the room, her presence commanding attention. The two soon-to-be-weds stared at each other, a contrast of emotions clear between them. Amelia was radiant, her happiness evident in her every movement, while Jack barely managed a word, his thoughts heavy and distant.
The evening continued with laughter and chatter, but Jack remained silent, his heart heavy. Finally, unable to take it any longer, he said, "I want to speak with Amelia in private."
An uncommon gesture, but the family acquiesced, curiosity piqued. They left the room, the door remaining open—a small breach in protocol.
As soon as they were alone, Amelia's demeanor changed. She looked at Jack with a bitterness that caught him off guard. "You could at least pretend to be excited," she said, her voice sharp. She pulled the glass of wine out of his hands, "And you have got to stop this behavior. I can smell the alcohol from the other room."
"It's going quite fast don't you think? Just give me time to get used to this whole situation."
Jack and Amelia stood facing each other, the tension between them palpable. Amelia's eyes blazed with a mix of anger and hurt.
"I've waited so long for this, Jack," Amelia said, her voice trembling. "Do you have any idea how many bachelors have asked for my hand in marriage?"
Jack met her gaze, feeling a pang of guilt. "Then why didn't you go for one of them?" he asked, his voice strained.
Amelia's eyes flashed with anger. "Because it's you I want to be married to, Jack. I've known since I was a child that our families wanted this union. It would secure both our futures. And I waited—years, Jack. I waited for you."
Jack's frustration turned into a deep frown. "And you think that's a good enough reason? Just because our families wanted it?"
Amelia took a step closer, her voice rising. "I've put my entire life on hold for you! I've turned down suitors, all with the promise that we would eventually be together. And now, you're telling me it's all for nothing because of some affair with a seamstress?"
"Her name is Rose," Jack snapped, the anger now evident in his voice.
Amelia's face twisted with contempt. "I know her name. I know all about your little affair with her. Do you think I'm blind? What does she have that I don't? She's poor, with no future, and she's on the run from a drunken father. She's nothing compared to what I can offer you."
Jack stiffened, his eyes narrowing. "How do you know about her father?"
Amelia's expression faltered, a flicker of guilt crossing her face. She swallowed hard, realizing she had said too much. "I... I heard things. People talk, Jack."
Jack's anger turned into fury. "Don't lie to me, Amelia. How do you know about her father?"
She took a deep breath, her eyes avoiding his. "I might have had a part in finding out about her life. I was curious, Jack. I needed to know who this girl was, the one you were willing to throw everything away for."
Jack's eyes widened in realization. "You were behind the break-in. You and Ernest."
Amelia didn't deny it, her silence confirming his worst fears. Jack's fury erupted. "Do you have any idea what you've done? You've endangered her, Amelia! You invaded her life, her privacy. All because you couldn't handle the fact that I care about someone else."
"Care about someone else?" Amelia snapped back, tears streaming down her face. "She's nothing, Jack! She's just a distraction, a fling. She can't offer you what I can."
Jack's fists clenched at his sides, his body trembling with rage. "Rose is everything to me, Amelia. She's kind, she's strong, and she loves me for who I am, not for my name or my money."
"And I don't?" She scoffed before taking a step towards him, "I've always been there for you, Jack," Amelia began, her voice filled with a desperate plea. "Remember when your family's business was on the brink of bankruptcy? My family stepped in and saved it. And when you had pneumonia last year, who was by your side every single day? Me. I was there, Jack. I can mention so many more times when I stood by you, supported you."
Jack clenched his fists, wanting nothing more than to leave the room and escape this painful confrontation. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Amelia, you've gotten what you wanted. We're getting married. I'll leave Rose alone. Just, please, don't bring her father into this."
Amelia's eyes softened, and she took a step closer to him. "Jack, you don't understand. I'm doing this because I love you. Within time, you'll see that it's been worth it to marry me. I love you, and I'll prove it to you, despite everything." Before Jack could react, Amelia leaned in and kissed him. The kiss was filled with a desperate longing, a plea for his acceptance. Jack stood still, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions. When she finally pulled away, her eyes searched his for any sign of reciprocation.
Jack sighed, his resolve weakening for a moment. "Amelia, I... I can't do this right now. I need to go."
….
The morning sun cast a warm glow over the bustling streets, but for Rose and Julie, the world seemed muted and distant. They hurried along the familiar path to the atelier, their pace uncharacteristically quick. The morning rush was unusual for them; they were never late.
As they approached the atelier, the sound of laughter and animated chatter filled the air. Inside, the other girls were gathered around the large worktable, their voices a chorus of excitement.
Julie nudged Rose gently. "What's all this commotion about?"
Jane, one of their colleagues, looked up with a wide grin. "Amelia Huntington is getting married!"
Julie chuckled, rolling her eyes. "And who's the unfortunate candidate this time?"
Jane's smile grew even wider. "No other than Jack Dawson."
Rose felt her heart stop. The name echoed in her mind like a cruel taunt. Julie, sensing something was wrong, rushed over to the table and snatched the newspaper from Jane's hands. Her eyes scanned the headlines, and there it was, in bold black and white: Jack Dawson and Amelia Huntington were indeed getting married.
Julie's concerned gaze shifted from the newspaper to Rose. "Rose, are you okay?"
But Rose didn't respond. She stood there, frozen, the world around her spinning. Suddenly, she turned and bolted towards the restroom, the bile rising in her throat. Julie followed close behind, her heart breaking for her friend.
In the restroom, Rose collapsed onto the cold tile floor, retching violently. Julie knelt beside her, rubbing her back, murmuring soothing words. But nothing seemed to calm the storm inside Rose.
"Rose, I'm so sorry," Julie murmured, her voice filled with concern. "I can't believe he would do this to you."
Rose wiped her mouth with a shaking hand, her eyes filled with tears. "Julie, please tell me it's not true," she pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion.
Julie hesitated, her heart breaking for her friend. "Rose, I saw it in the newspaper. It's true."
Rose closed her eyes, trying to steady herself against the overwhelming tide of emotions crashing over her. "How could he?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Julie's anger flared. "That man is a coward," she declared vehemently. "I always had a bad feeling about him. To do this to you..."
Rose's shoulders shook with silent sobs. "I trusted him," she murmured, more to herself than to Julie. "I thought..."
Julie wrapped her arms around her friend, holding her close. "I know, Rose. I know," she whispered soothingly, trying to offer what little comfort she could.
The sound of footsteps could be heard behind them as Jane peaked her head around the corner. "Rose, are you alright?" She asked, her tone full of concern.
Rose simply nodded her head and wiped the tears from her face. "I think I might have eaten something bad. I've been sick all morning, that's why we were running late."
"I'm so sorry to hear that, Rose. I heard that Mrs. Woodbridge is not coming in today so if you would like to go home."
As she stood up, Rose stated a firm no. "Just give me a minute. I'll be fine." She couldn't bear the thought of being alone right now. Her thoughts would definitely destroy her. Julie was holding her hand, squeezing it slightly.
"You don't deserve a man like this, Rose. What he has done is unforgivable."
"I…I just wish I wasn't this stupid. I should have seen the signs that he would do this to be, but there were none. None." Rose cried.
Julie shook her head, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Men like him, they only care about themselves. They'll walk over anyone to get what they want. You have no right to blame yourself, Rose. He would have done it to anyone. They see women like toys. Like weak creatures they can use and then ruin us like it means nothing. The best we can do is hold on to each other and not let them have the power over us to destroy us even further. You are a strong woman, Rose. You have been through so much. You can survive this too."
Her friend's words were reassuring and she tried her hardest to let them sink in. Yet, within a matter of seconds, Rose's heart had been shattered into a million pieces and she did not think she could mend them. The heartbreak was too strong. Eventually, they returned to their workstations, the chatter of their colleagues now a distant hum in the background. Rose forced herself to focus on her tasks, but her mind kept drifting back to Jack and the life they had planned together, now shattered by his decision.
After what felt like an eternity, Rose finally managed to pull herself together. With Julie's help, she returned to the main room, her face pale and eyes red-rimmed. She sat down at her station, her hands trembling as she tried to focus on her work.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Rose's thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and betrayal. She could barely focus on her stitches, her mind constantly drifting back to Jack and the love she thought they shared. How could he marry Amelia? How could he break her heart so completely?
As the day wore on, the other girls at the atelier gradually fell silent, sensing the shift in Rose's demeanor. Julie stayed close by, her protective presence a comforting reminder that Rose was not alone in her pain. But as the sun began to sat and all the girls went their separate ways, Rose realized she had to undergo her feelings in solitude.
Before going her own way, Julie hugged Rose one last time. "Are you sure you don't want to come with me?"
"I am just exhausted, Julie. I really just want to go to bed."
"I understand."
Rose's feet felt heavy as she walked toward home, her mind a tumultuous storm of thoughts and emotions. When she saw Jack sitting on the doorstep of her apartment complex, her heart stopped. She froze, disbelief washing over her. Jack looked up, his eyes lighting with relief and desperation as he saw her.
"Rose." Jack breathed as he rushed towards her, but Rose instinctively stepped back, her resolve hardening as she walked past him to the door.
"Have you come to invite me to your wedding?"
Jack remained silent for a moment, scanning her face, noticing nothing but pure pain and devastation in her expression. "You've heard then."
"Of course, I have heard. It's all everyone can talk about right now."
"Please, Rose. Let me at least explain. It is not what you think."
She brushed passed him, entering the building as fast as she could. Rose's footsteps echoed loudly in the stairwell as she ascended to her apartment, her heart pounding with anger and hurt. Jack followed closely behind, his own emotions in turmoil. He reached out to grab her arm, but she shook him off fiercely.
"Rose, please," Jack pleaded, desperation evident in his voice. "Let me explain."
Rose whirled around to face him, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Explain? What is there to explain, Jack? You're marrying Amelia Huntington! I trusted you! I gave my whole heart to you, my body and you treated it like I am worth nothing. People warned me about you, but I did not want to listen because I truly believed you to be a good person. I was wrong. You lied to me! You used me!"
Jack's face contorted with pain. "I didn't lie to you, Rose. I care about you more than you know."
"Care about me?" Rose scoffed bitterly. "Is that why you're marrying someone else?"
Jack ran a hand through his hair, frustration and regret etched on his features. "It's not like that, Rose. Please, just listen."
But Rose's anger was relentless. "No, Jack. I trusted you. I let you into my life, into my heart. And this is how you repay me?"
Jack took a step closer, his voice pleading. "I never meant to hurt you. I was trying to protect you."
"Protect me?" Rose's voice cracked with disbelief. "From what? From your family's expectations? From your own mistakes?"
Jack struggled to find the right words, his heart breaking with each passing second. "From my brother, from everything... I couldn't let him..."
"Let him what, Jack?" Rose interrupted, her voice sharp with pain. "Control your life? Control who you marry?"
Jack reached out to touch her arm again, but this time Rose jerked away violently. Before Jack could respond, Rose cut him off, her voice filled with finality. "You know what? I don't even want to know," she said, her tone firm. "It's over, Jack. I can't do this anymore. I don't ever want to see you again."
The words hung heavily in the air between them, final and painful. Jack felt as though his heart had been ripped from his chest. He wanted to reach out to her, to hold her and beg for forgiveness, but he knew it was too late.
"I did it to protect you from you father."
"No, Jack. Marrying another woman will not protect me from my father. You did it because you are a coward." Rose turned away from him, her shoulders hunched with sorrow, and walked towards her apartment door. Jack stood there, watching helplessly as she disappeared inside, closing the door firmly behind her. He had now truly lost her.
Jack sank to the floor outside Rose's apartment, the weight of his sorrow crashing down upon him. Tears streamed down his cheeks unchecked, his sobs echoing softly in the empty hallway. He had known this moment would come, had feared it with every fiber of his being, yet the reality of it was even more devastating than he had imagined.
He cradled his head in his hands, the agony in his chest threatening to consume him. How could it have all gone so terribly wrong? He had wanted to tell Rose himself, to explain everything, to beg for her forgiveness. But now, she knew through the newspapers, through the cruel twist of fate that had robbed him of the chance to explain.
A bitter realization seeped through him—his own brother, Ernest, had orchestrated this. He had printed the engagement announcement without Jack's knowledge, without giving him the opportunity to face Rose and explain everything in his own words. It was another betrayal, another manipulation in a series of calculated moves designed to control Jack's life.